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Gov. Scott announces early start to scallop season: Saturday, June 29

Published: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 5:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 5:03 p.m.

The recreational scallop season will begin two days early, on Saturday, June 29, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday.

The season will be open in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico - within 9 nautical miles of the shore - from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.

The season will remain open through Sept. 24.

"This is an opportunity for Florida families and our visitors to enjoy our state's natural beauty, while catching the best scallops in the world," Scott said in a news release. "By moving the recreational date up, we'll provide families and visitors with an extra weekend to enjoy the scallop season, which will benefit jobs and families along the coast.”

<p>The recreational scallop season will begin two days early, on Saturday, June 29, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday.</p><p>The season will be open in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico - within 9 nautical miles of the shore - from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.</p><p>The season will remain open through Sept. 24.</p><p> </p><p>"This is an opportunity for Florida families and our visitors to enjoy our state's natural beauty, while catching the best scallops in the world," Scott said in a news release. "By moving the recreational date up, we'll provide families and visitors with an extra weekend to enjoy the scallop season, which will benefit jobs and families along the coast.”</p>